So let me just open this up by saying that I am not particularly a fan of Ferrari’s GT cars. Unless there is a ‘2’ or ‘3’ or ‘E’ behind it, as I am a big fan of the GT2/GT3/GTE/GTC type race cars that Ferrari produces. Cars like the 550, 599, F12, 456, 612 however. are all nice cars, but they do not necessarily make me interested.
And then there was the Ferrari Roma…
I should not compare this to an Aston Martin, since this type of body shape with its long nose and engine in the front stems from a long time ago when Ferrari was still producing cars numbered ‘250’. But when it comes to looks, the modern Astons always did it for me. Ferrari 599 anyone? Thanks, but I’ll take the DB9 instead. I know it drives like a tank compared to a Ferrari…but God it looks good. So I will compare this to an Aston Martin. Is this the Ferrari with Aston looks and Ferrari driving qualities?
It isn’t. It is actually more than that. It is Ferrari stepping into the 20’s (2020’s that is…). The interior design is filled with gadgets, touch screens, digital dashboards and even touch pads on the steering wheel. Where Aston’s new DB11 design disappointed me, the Ferrari Roma is simply gorgeous. Ferrari’s sales department is keen to introduce you to ‘La nuova dolce vita’, where you cruise around Rome during the night, wearing a jacket, looking like a model, and driving the most beautiful car that Ferrari has produced in years. I must admit: I actually did envisage me driving through Rome, well dressed, looking like a model, and driving the Roma. Reality is however that I drive a Porsche, I do not wear a jacket to work (which is far from Rome…) and I look old. Even so, when I sat down inside this car during the introduction, it did give me a cool feeling.
And then came the invitation for the test drive, by Munsterhuis Sportscars. Does it live up to the hype? I drive away in automatic mode, manettino set to comfort. No sunglasses but COVID-19 Ferrari mouth mask. The car does indeed feel comfortable. “Cruising around in the Roma, feeling cool”: check. We get off the highway and enter some abandoned roads through the forest. I set the manettino to sport and immediately feel the much quicker throttle response and increased sound. This is good. Put the accelerator down, shift up once or twice, and I hit 200 km/hr (and the rev limiter). Excuse me? Yes, it is that fast. So what happens here is: 1) 620 BHp works, 2) the acceleration is somehow linear; this is good but before you know it you hit the rev limiter (which is a bit low). If you want to drive this thing quickly, you better respond quickly.
Now how about the presence of turbo’s, and the missing naturally aspirated engine? Well, let’s start by saying that there is simply zero turbo lag. Acceleration feels like a naturally aspirated engine. In fact, better because the insane amount of torque is what gives you this acceleration. It also gives you wheelspin though; floor the accelerator and chances are high that the traction control system will prevent you from not folding your Roma around a tree next to the road. Is there too much power? Or can power never be enough? My feelings are mixed; it was rare to floor this car, because before I knew it I was blocked in further acceleration by another car, corner or simply reaching the end of the world. And this is a pity. On the other hand, this is a Ferrari and it should be fast, compared to 2020 standards and not compared to 1970 standards. We cannot possibly complain about a Ferrari being fast. We can complain though about the undoubtedly numerous speeding tickets that you will get.
Handling is good, Good enough for the road certainly. Of course I haven’t tested it on a race track, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did well on the track too. Sound? Pretty good actually. No high pitch but for a GT car I don’t mind so much. I would have loved to hear a bit more pops from the exhaust, but modern emission regulation impacts on the design make this a difficult thing to get (though my guess is that by unplugging the exhaust valves you will actually get some). The car feels light, steering is very good and even the steering wheel is quite nice. The result was driver with a smile on his face, below the mouth mask that is…
As I have kids, the presence of rear seats, even if indeed for small kids only, is a plus. So here we have it; a stunning looking Ferrari with which I could drop my kids off at school, drive to work with a jacket on and sunglasses, enjoying the sound of the engine from the family of voted engine of the year four years in a row, and do some laps on the Nurburgring after work where the car would certainly smash the laptime of my 348 Challenge. Living la nuova dolce vita.
Could I forgive the possibly too high power and low maximum revolutions? Would I buy this car? Hell yes. Now where are my jacket and sunglasses?
Ciao!
Robin
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